Journal 4

TuBinh Luong
Health 1050
Prof. Gustavo Ibarra
October 10, 2018
Marijuana
In this journal for this section we are focusing on Marijuana. What is marijuana?
Marijuana is a mixture of dried-out leaves, stems, flowers and seeds of the female hemp plant. It
is usually green, brown or gray in color. It is a weed of the family cannabis; sativa, Indica and
ruderalis. The plant contains two group of chemical compounds: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
the responsible for a the euphoric high and a newbie for many, cannabidiols oils (CBD), the non-
psychoactive compound.

Marijuana has a lot of different acute effects and that all have a range of acute and
chronic health problems associated with cannabis use has been identified. Cannabis can
frequently have negative effects in its users, which may be amplified by certain demographic
and/or psychosocial factors. Acute adverse effects include hyperemesis syndrome, impaired
coordination and performance, anxiety, suicidal ideations/tendencies, and psychotic symptoms.
Acute cannabis consumption is also associated with an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes,
especially fatal collisions. Evidence indicates that frequent and prolonged use of cannabis can be
detrimental to both mental and physical health.

In that case the chronic effects of cannabis use include mood disorders, exacerbation of
psychotic disorders in vulnerable people, cannabis use disorders, withdrawal syndrome,
neurocognitive impairments, cardiovascular and respiratory and other diseases. A person
experiences the desired effects of a drug after the drug binds to specific receptors in the central
nervous system (most often the brain). In general, an increase in the dose of a drug will increase
the effects it has on the body. However, the pharmacologic effects of a drug can also be
dependent on the time since it was ingested, rather than the concentration of the dose taken. This
phenomenon, known as hysteresis, is particularly evident when comparing the effects of alcohol
(ethanol) and marijuana (THC).

When it comes to the benefits of both CBD and THC. One of the reports that I’ve read
online that talks about the specific and common of CBD and THC. The cannabinoid receptors
are concentrated in certain areas of the brain associated with pain, thinking, memory, pleasure,
coordination and time perception. THC attaches to these receptors and activates them and affects
a person's memory, pleasure, movements, thinking, concentration, coordination, and sensory and
time perception, according to NIDA. Also, is a very effective analgesic why marijuana is still
illegal Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a high. While this makes CBD a poor choice for
recreational users, it gives the chemical a significant advantage as a medicine, since health
professionals prefer treatments with minimal side effects.

In conclude to that we are all wondering and questioning, why marijuana is still illegal.
What are the public thinks about this regulator and how they want to interpret that into everyday
life having to wonder if marijuana will be able to be legal in any way. In an article that I’ve
found that talks about the specific of why marijuana is still illegal has to do with the placing
marijuana in the same category as other Schedule I drugs. One of the primary reasons for the
classification is, ironically enough, the fact that marijuana "does not have a currently accepted
medical use for treatment in the United States," according to DEA acting administrator Chuck
Rosenburg in a written statement. "There is a lack of accepted safety for its use under medical
supervision, and it has a high potential for abuse."

Unfortunately for researchers, it seems unlikely that further testing will be able to take
place without more understanding restrictions. With the drug classified as Schedule I, researchers
face a great deal more struggle due to restrictions on how the drugs must be stored and handled.
In addition, listing a Schedule I substance on a research project could be potentially off-putting
to funding agencies and for large research boards that have to approve research involving human
subjects.
 Citations

Economy, Peter. October 10, 2018. Yes, Marijuana Is Still Illegal in the U.S. (and Here's Why).
August 30, 2016. https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/yes-marijuana-is-still-illegal-in-the-us-
and-heres-why.html

Lopez, German. Title Vox. April 30, 2018. Medical marijuana may help combat the opioid crisis.
But there are better solutions. October 10, 2018. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-
politics/2018/4/30/17302692/opioid-epidemic-medical-marijuana-painkiller